$20 portrait studio

[JoesPhotos]

Originally Posted by neoclick

Good idea…

Another cheap reflector you may already have is the windshield heat reflector many have in their cars.

DIY help for stand for reflector. This will burn $8 of your $150 Stand

and Light Ring since you must have some handy man experience.

Back Drop Stand $11 each, the only thing I would add to this is sand to help weigh it down, or you could use my idea for back drop stand. Shameless Plug

Originally Posted by arlon

Thanks for the comments. I had so much fun with the little setup that I went out and purchased a "real" backdrop for $60.

For $60 you could have had 3 custom muslin backdrops

Originally Posted by arlon

Well, the garage was too cluttered to hang the new drop. So while making room in the garage my neighbor noticed an old power saw of mine. Well, now I have $150 to spend on my studio and my neighbor has an old saw! What a plan.

The above "Projects" should use up some of that and then you'd be set.

[arlon]

Got the cheap muslin, just haven't dyed it yet (had a 50% coupon at JoAnns).

I just used a tent pole set across the rails for my garage doors to hold the background up. I just need to move the background further back to get it out of focus. Still using the compact flourescent in a trouble light.

More playing with the chaep studio..

wife stole my hat!


Going for the marlboro effect..



Cat decided to get into the act too..

[elvenprincessjo]

Love the Marlboro look! And the photo of the cat is just adorable. The backdrop looks great in that one.

[ricklumpas]

Great portrait of you, Sir. I will try this at home.

[imabhi]

Gr8 shot n excellent learning

[charlotteinkennesaw]

Very nice self portrait. Just goes to show that you don't need a lot of fancy equipment to be a photographer. Thanks for the inspiration.

[m.c.adams]

I use the clamp lights with a piece of white polyester over them for a soft box effect. For back drops, 6'x9' canvas drop cloths tie-dyed.

http://www.diyphotography.net/homest...phy-background

Heres a link to making the backdrops. They use muslin, but the canvas drop cloths work just as good, and alot cheaper. I have 3 in brown, blue and gray.
Mark

[RustySterling]

That's really cool. Very nice job. Would have been a great candidate for the Ghetto Light assignment.

[Marcel Alexandre]

Sir Thank you very much!!!
Oh Gosh!!! This is sooooooo inspiring!!!!!

[SheMorz]

Its a great photo!
I have seen a lot of people set up their garage like you did.
They even went as far as getting a few pieces of wood flooring and crown molding
for their backdrop and made it look like a room!